A local First Nations elder helps bring the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language into a cult film.
Jeff Monague, a former chief of the Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island who taught the Ojibwe language at the Simcoe County District School Board and Georgian College, will provide the voice of antagonist Grand Moff Tarkin in the Ojibwe version of. Star Wars: A New Hope.
The Ojibwe dub of the film will premiere at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg on August 8. There will be a limited release in Winnipeg and other markets starting August 10. Walt Disney Studios Canada is partnering with cinemas in Winnipeg and other markets to offer free screenings to the public.
“The project brought together a wide range of talent and multigenerational Anishinaabe speakers to bring this version to life. Dubbing took place over a 10-day period in early May in Winnipeg, with final mixing completed at Skywalker Sound,” Lucasfilm said in a press release.
“The project is supported in part by the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage’s Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program. Dougald Lamont helped launch this project in 2021 after pitching it to Pablo Hidalgo, a former Winnipegger and Lucasfilm executive, as a language revitalization project to support reconciliation.”
The Ojibwe dub was directed by Ellyn Stern Epcar and produced by Michael Kohn. The film stars Aandeg Jedi Muldrew as Luke Skywalker, Ajuawak Kapashesit as Han Solo, Theresa Eischen as Princess Leia, Dennis Daminos Chartrand as Darth Vader, Dustin Gerald Morrow Aagimewikamig as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Tomantha Sylvester Nimi Anungo Kwe as C-3PO, Jeff Monague Myiingan Minaakwhe as Grand Moff Tarkin, John-Paul Chalykoff as Uncle Owen and Wanda Barker Giwedinoonz as Aunt Beru.
Project partners include the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, the University of Manitoba, Disney/Lucasfilm and APTN.
The film will debut on Disney+ and APTN at a later date.
Lucasfilm signed its press release with “Gi-ga-miinigoowiz Mamaandaawiziwin (May the force be with you).”
